Covid

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A recent COVID-19 infection is thought to cause sudden hearing loss. Hearing loss caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is said to be potentially more severe than hearing loss due to other viruses such as measles or meningitis.

The exact cause of hearing loss or sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) until now it's hard to explain. However, this condition is most likely to be caused by viral infections, including the flu, herpes, and cytomegalovirus viruses.

According to National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders United States , this disorder usually affects only one ear. Patients usually experience tinnitus, aka ringing in the ears, before hearing loss in whole or in part. This hearing loss can last for several days or even forever depending on the proper treatment.

Then how can COVID-19 affect the hearing of the sufferer?

How does COVID-19 cause hearing loss?

A man in England developed sudden and permanent hearing loss in one ear after experiencing the bad symptoms of COVID-19. The ear as an organ of human hearing can malfunction due to internal and external factors, one of which is caused by a virus.

In a BMJ International Journal report, doctors warned the public to be aware of this rare but serious complication. In addition to this study, the Otolaryngology (ENT: Ear, Nose, Throat) research team from Johns Hopkins University said there were many cases of hearing loss experienced by COVID-19 patients. Several other studies have also reported similar cases experienced by COVID-19 patients around the world.

A study conducted by a team from the University Hospital of Manchester, UK, said 13% of 138 people who had been treated for COVID-19 had hearing loss. The patient complained of hearing loss after being discharged from the hospital and continued to undergo examination for 8 weeks.

The research team from Johns Hopkins Hospital performed surgery and autopsy on the three bodies of COVID-19 to see if they could find the virus in the inner ear. As a result, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was found in two of the three surgical bodies. The virus is in the middle ear and the mastoid bone in the skull, which is located just behind the ear. The results of the study were published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,

“Other viruses have been known to cause sudden hearing loss. Personally I suspect (COVID-19) is potentially worse, ”wrote Matthew Stewart, a research team from John Hopkins.

In the human ear, there are very small blood vessels, especially in the inner ear. According to Stewart, the corona virus that causes COVID-19 can cause blood clots in the body and this can also occur in the inner ear.

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ENT examination is required for every symptomatic COVID-19 patient

Early identification of sudden hearing loss due to COVID-19 is important. Because the initial condition of hearing loss has the potential to be corrected with drugs before permanent damage occurs.

Hearing loss due to COVID-19 can be treated using oral steroid treatments. Stewart and his team have treated a patient infected with COVID-19 named Liam (23) who has lost 70-80% of hearing in his left ear.

Liam was given high doses of oral steroids until his hearing returned to function. He said he could now hear everything except the high notes.

In June 2020 Liam contracted COVID-19 with initial symptoms of experiencing fever, headache and fatigue for weeks. However, after she started feeling better she suddenly lost her hearing and developed tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

"It's really terrible," said Liam, explaining the condition of his hearing when he had a COVID-19 infection.